Wearable audio accessories for computing devices

ABSTRACT

Wearable audio accessories for computing devices are described. In one embodiment the wearable audio accessory provides a speech based interface between the user and a nearby computing device for the performance of user-initiated or computing device initiated microtasks. Information is provided to the user via a loudspeaker and the user can provide input via a microphone. An audio sensing channel within the accessory continuously monitors the audio signal as detected by the microphone and in various embodiments will trigger more complex audio processing based on this monitoring. A wireless communication link is provided between the accessory and the nearby computing device. To mitigate any delay caused by the switching between audio processing techniques, the audio accessory may include a rolling buffer which continuously stores the audio signal and outputs a delayed audio signal to the audio processing engines.

BACKGROUND

Existing audio accessories for smartphones are used to listen to musicor to make phone calls and can be divided into two types: wired andBluetooth™. The wired headsets connect to the 3.5 mm headphone jack or aproprietary connector and comprise ear buds which contain small speakersand may also include a microphone (often located part way along thewires from the ear buds to the connector) for use when making a phonecall. The Bluetooth™ versions may be wearable headsets (which typicallyattach to the user's ear) or may be designed for in car use (e.g. toclip to a sun visor). The wearable headsets may provide ear buds or analternative form factor to provide a small speaker in or close to theear canal or may conduct sound to the inner ear through the bones of theskull, whilst the in car versions typically include a speaker. Both thewearable Bluetooth™ headsets and in car devices typically comprise amicrophone for detecting speech when making a phone call.

The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations whichsolve any or all of the disadvantages of known audio accessories forsmartphones.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosure in orderto provide a basic understanding to the reader. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure and it does not identifykey/critical elements or delineate the scope of the specification. Itssole purpose is to present a selection of concepts disclosed herein in asimplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that ispresented later.

Wearable audio accessories for computing devices are described. In oneembodiment the wearable audio accessory provides a speech basedinterface between the user and a nearby computing device for theperformance of user-initiated or computing device initiated microtasks.Information is provided to the user via a loudspeaker and the user canprovide input via a microphone. An audio sensing channel within theaccessory continuously monitors the audio signal as detected by themicrophone and in various embodiments will trigger more complex audioprocessing based on this monitoring. A wireless communication link isprovided between the accessory and the nearby computing device. Tomitigate any delay caused by the switching between audio processingtechniques, the audio accessory may include a rolling buffer whichcontinuously stores the audio signal and outputs a delayed audio signalto the audio processing engines.

Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as thesame becomes better understood by reference to the following detaileddescription considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be better understood from the followingdetailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example audio accessory;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example audio processing hierarchy;

FIG. 3 shows schematic diagrams of various other example audioaccessories;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an example method of operation of an audioaccessory such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a further example audio accessory;

FIG. 6 shows an example timeline for a method of operation of an audioaccessory such as the one shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows schematic diagrams of two additional example audioaccessories;

FIG. 8 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing-baseddevice which may operate as a host device for an audio accessory such asthose shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 5 and 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing-baseddevice which integrates the audio accessory functionality; and

FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of another example audio accessory.Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in theaccompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appendeddrawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is notintended to represent the only forms in which the present example may beconstructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of theexample and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating theexample. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may beaccomplished by different examples.

Existing audio accessories for smartphones enable users to listen tomusic or have phone conversations without needing to hold thesmartphones to their heads. This makes it easier to do such activitieswhilst on the move (e.g. walking, jogging, etc); however theseaccessories do not provide access to data (e.g. data stored on thesmartphone).

Although the present examples are described and illustrated herein asbeing implemented as an accessory for a smartphone, the methods andapparatus described is provided as an example and not a limitation. Asthose skilled in the art will appreciate, the present examples aresuitable for application in conjunction with a variety of differenttypes of computing devices which may be portable (e.g. laptops, tabletcomputers, portable games consoles, etc) or fixed (e.g. desktopcomputers, non-portable games consoles, internet enabled televisions orset-top boxes, etc).

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an audio accessory which is a wearablespeech interface device for a smartphone or other computing device. Thewearable speech interface device 100, provides a wearable hands-free,eye-free device with a speech based interface between the wearablespeech interface device 100 and the user (who may also be referred to asthe wearer) and a communication link 101 between the wearable speechinterface device 100 and the host device 102 (i.e. the smartphone orother computing device). The wearable speech interface device 100 maytherefore be described as providing a speech based interface between theuser and the host device 102.

The term ‘hands-free’ is used herein to refer to the fact that thewearable speech interface device is not held in a user's hand. Thewearable speech interface device may still comprise buttons and/or touchsensors, as described below. The term ‘eye-free’ is used herein to referto the fact that the wearable speech interface device does not obscurethe vision of a user (e.g. it is not mounted in front of a user's eye).

The speech based interface may be used both for user-initiated actionssuch as querying the host device (e.g. querying for information storedin the calendar or for information available on the interne via a searchengine application) and host device initiated actions such as providingnotifications to the user (e.g. of upcoming appointments in theircalendar, email or text messages received, etc). All these actions maybe categorized as microtasks as they are short in duration and arediscrete activities. Examples of user-initiated microtasks includechecking in at a location (e.g. in a social media application), checkinglocal traffic, checking stock prices, checking the time and making anote to self (i.e. a personal note for the user). The interactionsbetween the user and the host device (via the wearable speech interfacedevice) are not reliant on the presence of any network connection (e.g.the host device 102 does not require network connectivity to enable theinteractions) and although some microtasks may require networkconnectivity, many do not and this lack of reliance on networkconnectivity for the interaction provides the user with confidence thatthey can rely on the interaction working.

The notifications/alerts provided by the wearable speech interfacedevice (in host device initiated microtasks) may be more reliable and/ormore informative than existing host device based notification methodssuch as displaying a pop-up on screen (which requires the user to belooking at the host device), sending a text message to the user'ssmartphone (which requires the user to check their smartphone and reliesupon there being network connectivity) and beeping or playing a ringtone (where the user has to correctly interpret the meaning of thebeep/ring tone). In some existing systems a user may pre-assign a soundor ring tone to a particular alert type (e.g. they may define a ringtone for calls from particular people and may define a different ringtone to indicate receipt of a text message rather than an email).However, these systems are not flexible and are all rely on a usersetting up pre-defined notifications. In contrast, thenotifications/alerts provided by the wearable speech interface deviceare flexible, can respond to changing circumstances and do not requirepre-configuration by the user.

The wearable speech interface device may also be used for phone calls;however in various examples the design may be optimized for intermittentuse (e.g. short bursts over an extended period such as 24 hours) and insome examples (described below), the wearable speech interface devicemay have two modes of operation, one for this intermittent use formicrotasks and one for longer activities such as phone calls andlistening to music.

The wearable speech interface device 100 is a small form factor devicewhich is wearable and may therefore comprise a clip, tab or otherattachment mechanism to allow a user to clip the device to theirclothing (e.g. a lapel clip) or other object or hang it around theirneck (e.g. like a necklace or scarf). Unlike existing audio accessories,the wearable speech interface device may also be designed to behead-free (i.e. a user does not wear it on their head, but it is insteadattached to another part of their body or clothing). The wearable speechinterface device 100 comprises a loudspeaker 104 and a microphone 106and through use of both a directional loudspeaker and a directionalmicrophone, privacy may be maintained (e.g. the loudspeaker is directedat the user and not others) and there is improved noise rejection andspeaker (i.e. user) localization. For head-free versions of the wearablespeech interface device, the directionality of the microphone improvesperformance because the microphone is further from the user's mouth andis consequently more susceptible to background noise. In some examples,the directional loudspeaker may comprise a multi-element speaker arrayand may use beam-forming techniques. Similarly, the directionalmicrophone may be a multi-element microphone array. In the followingdescription, the loudspeakers and microphones are not described as beingdirectional; however it will be appreciated that directionalloudspeakers and directional microphones may alternatively be used inany of the examples described herein.

The wearable speech interface device 100 further comprises an always-on,low power, audio sensing channel 108, a continuous speech (orconversation) detection module 110 and a wireless interface 112 which isarranged to enable wireless communication between the wearable speechinterface device 100 and the host device 102. The wireless interface 112may use Bluetooth™, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE, also known as BluetoothSMART), WiFi™ or other protocol.

The always-on, lower power, audio sensing channel 108 and the continuousspeech detection module 110 work together to continuously monitor theaudio signal detected via the microphone 106 while the audio sensingchannel 108 and speech detection module 110 are operational and this canbe described with reference to FIG. 2. In an example, the continuousspeech detection module 110 continuously monitors the audio signaldetected via the microphone 106 to detect the spoken word, where thismay for example be a conversation with another person or a spokencommand for the wearable speech interface device 100. The wearablespeech interface device 100 uses a tiered approach to audio processingin order to detect context and the audio processing may be split betweenthe wearable speech interface device itself, the host device and/or aremote device (e.g. a cloud-based service) in order to optimize bothperformance and power consumption.

Although the audio sensing channel 108 is described here as being alwayson, it will be appreciated that it is substantially always-on and willnot operate if, for example, the feature or the audio processing isturned off as a result of the device being detached from an object (e.g.as described below with reference to FIG. 4) or if the wearable speechinterface device 100 is powered down. Similarly, although the speechdetection module 110 is described as being a continuous speech detectionmodule, it will be appreciated that it will operate substantiallycontinuously and will not operate if, for example, the feature or theaudio processing is turned off as a result of the device being detachedfrom an object (e.g. as described below with reference to FIG. 4) or ifthe wearable speech interface device 100 is powered down. Furthermore,the term ‘continuously’ as used herein may encompass a sampling processwhere the sampling period (e.g. of the audio signal detected via themicrophone 106) is sufficiently short that it would not miss a spokenword.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example audio processing hierarchy200. In this example, at the lowest level, continuous audio leveldetection is performed (block 202), e.g. analog audio level detectionwhich triggers the next level in the hierarchy when the detected levelexceeds a threshold level. In some examples, the next level is onlytriggered when the presence of speech is additional detected (i.e. wherethe detected level exceeds the threshold and there is speech). The nextlevel (block 204) is keyword detection which may be performedcontinuously from the point of trigger by the lower level. Detection ofone or more predefined keywords in this level may in turn triggeractivation of the next level (block 206) which uses natural languagespeech detection. The keywords used in the second level (block 204) maybe user specific or generic or the user may be able to select betweensets of predefined keywords when configuring the wearable speechinterface device 100.

It will be appreciated that the audio processing system may subsequentlyreturn to a lower level in the audio processing hierarchy (e.g. upondetection of a period of silence or a period without detection of anyspeech which exceeds a threshold length). As indicated by the dottedarrows in FIG. 2, the system may move back through the hierarchy (e.g.from one level to the next level down) or may return straight to thelowest level (e.g. from block 206 to block 202). Although FIG. 2 showsthree levels in the audio processing hierarchy, it will be appreciatedthat the hierarchy may comprise any number of levels.

In an example, the speech detection module 110 in the wearable speechinterface device 100 may implement the first and/or second levels of thehierarchy 200 shown in FIG. 2 (where the module 110 implements thesecond level continuously, the first level may be omitted). The higherlevel(s) may then be implemented on the host device 102 and/or on aremote device (e.g. in the cloud) and in some examples may use adedicated application/service or a pre-existing natural language userinterface (or other audio processing technology) which is integratedwithin the operating system of the host device. In some examples, thissplit of audio processing across devices (wearable speech interfacedevice/host device/remote device) may be fixed and in other examples thesplit may be controlled dynamically (e.g. under the control of the hostdevice) in order to optimize performance and power consumption and thisdynamic splitting may be based on one or more factors such as remainingbattery power (of the wearable speech interface device and/or hostdevice), processing power required and user history. In some examples,the split between devices may be different for different applications.

The tiered approach to audio processing described above provides oneexample of a power control technique which is used on the wearablespeech interface device 100 in order to extend its battery life and, forexample, to enable all-day always-on operation. The splitting of theaudio processing between devices, so that not all levels are performedon the wearable speech interface device itself is a further examplepower control technique and other power control techniques may also beimplemented, as described below. In another example of a power controltechniques, different algorithms may be used within a particular levelin the audio processing hierarchy (e.g. different keyword detectionalgorithms and/or different natural language speech detectionalgorithms) based on the amount of noise in the received audio signal.In this way, a less processor intensive algorithm may be used when thenoise is low (and so speech detection is less difficult) and a moreprocessor intensive algorithm may be used when the noise is higher.

The audio processing described above provides context information whichmay be used by the host device to determine when and/or how tocommunicate with the wearer via the wearable speech interface device(e.g. for host device initiated actions). For example, if the wearer ishaving a conversation with someone (as detected by the audio processingelements (e.g. audio sensing channel 108 and/or speech detection module110), the host device 102 may delay providing a voice alert (e.g. toannounce the arrival of a new email or text message) until there is apause in conversation or until the conversation ends (e.g. as determinedby a pre-defined length of time without any speech detected). In anotherexample, where delaying providing the alert is less appropriate (e.g. analarm or reminder of an imminent event), the type of alert may beselected to be less intrusive (e.g. a beep may be selected rather than amore detailed voice prompt). In other examples, the context informationmay be used to provide context dependent notifications (or prompts),e.g. in hot weather (e.g. as determined by a temperature sensor), awearer may be notified when they are close to a water fountain or drinksmachine so that they can re-hydrate.

In addition, the context information which is obtained using audioprocessing may be passed to applications running on the host device. Inan example, the context information may be used to set a wearer's statusin an instant messaging, VoIP (Voice over IP) or social mediaapplication. In other examples, the context information may be used bythe host device in responding to user queries.

In addition to, or instead of, modifying the operation of the hostdevice based on the context information, the operation of the wearablespeech interface device may be modified based on the contextinformation. For example, the volume of the loudspeaker 104 may bereduced if the wearer is speaking (and/or listening to anotherspeaking). In another example, the volume of the loudspeaker 104 may beincreased if there is a lot of background noise and/or the contextinformation identifies that the wearer is outside.

In addition to the features shown in FIG. 2, a wearable speech interfacedevice may comprise one or more additional elements and these aredescribed below with reference to the examples shown in FIG. 3. It willbe appreciated that although the examples in FIG. 3 show specificcombinations of features, a wearable speech interface device maycomprise any combination of the features shown and/or described herein.

The first example 301 in FIG. 3 comprises one or more physical controls302. Each control may, for example, be a physical button, a touchsensing area or a proximity sensing area. These controls may be used totrigger the provision of additional information following a notificationor host device initiated alert received by the wearer via the wearablespeech interface device. For example, where the wearable speechinterface device plays (via the loudspeaker) a short voice notificationor alert sound, which may relate to a new message (e.g. email/text) thathas been received or a calendar appointment, the wearer may touch aphysical control and trigger a further, longer notification which may,for example, read out the new message (e.g. using a text to speechengine within the host device) or provide additional detail about theappointment (e.g. location, duration, etc). For user initiated actions,the controls may, for example, be used to trigger the repeating of aresponse provided by the host device (e.g. where the user did not hearit fully the first time the response was provided). The controls mayalso be used to configure the wearable speech interface device (e.g. toprovide a volume control) or to disable operation or functionality ofthe wearable speech interface device (e.g. to prevent host deviceinitiated microtasks during an important meeting or to place thewearable speech interface device into a ‘silent’ mode).

In a second example 303, the wearable speech interface device maycomprise one or more sensors 304 (in addition to the microphone 106) toprovide additional context information. Such sensors may, for example,enable the wearable speech interface device to detect if a user isinside/outside, stationary/moving, near another person, etc. Examples ofsensors include, but are not limited to, an accelerometer, a gyroscope,a compass, a light level detector and a temperature sensor. Where theseadditional sensors are provided, the sensor data may be processed withinthe wearable speech interface device or alternatively there may be adata channel to the host device (e.g. using the wireless interface 112)and the sensor data may be processed on the host device or on a remotedevice (e.g. in the cloud). Where the wearable speech interface devicecomprises a touch sensor and a user can disable operation/functionalityof the wearable speech interface device using this touch sensor (asdescribed above), the additional context information may, for example,include whether the wearable speech interface device has been placed‘silent’ mode or whether other functionality has been disabled.

In various examples, the wearable speech interface device may comprise asensor 304 which is an IR (infra-red) detector and an IR source 305(e.g. an IR LED) which may be arranged to detect other nearby wearablespeech interface device devices. wearable speech interfacedevice—wearable speech interface device context sensing may provide amore accurate determination that another person is close by compared toother techniques (e.g. based on audio processing) and the IR detectorand source may, in some examples, be arranged to enable communicationbetween wearable speech interface devices (rather than just presencedetection), for example to identify a particular wearable speechinterface device and/or a wearer of a wearable speech interface device.

The IR source 305 provides an example of an element within a wearablespeech interface device which may provide information to an entity otherthan the wearer (e.g. to another wearable speech interface device).Further examples of such an element are shown in the third example 306,which shows a wearable speech interface device comprising one or moreLEDs 307 and a small display 308. The LEDs 307 and/or display 308 may beused to provide information to the wearer (e.g. status information suchas to confirm that the wearable speech interface device is on andperforming continuous audio processing) and/or information to otherpeople. The information provided to the wearer via the LEDs/display mayalso relate to applications running on the host device and may be usedto provide notifications to the user over a longer period of time (e.g.change color to indicate local traffic conditions) and/or to providenotifications when the host device/wearable speech interface devicedetermines (based on the context information) that audible alerts arenot appropriate (e.g. when the user is in the middle of a conversation).

Where the LEDs/display are used to provide information to other people,this information may be status information relating to the user (e.g.green=available, red=unavailable), advertising (e.g. a logo or othercommercial information) or any other information. Where the wearablespeech interface device is used for advertising purposes, the wearer mayreceive a financial (or other) reward and the advertising may be linkedto the context information or to user preferences (e.g. brands the userhas indicated that they like in a social networking application). Whenconsidering a matrix of notification types (e.g. audible/visual) andtargets (e.g. wearer/others), a wearable speech interface device may beconfigured in different ways to provide notifications. Two examples areprovided below with the first example showing a wearable speechinterface device which is only used to provide personal alerts for thewearer and the second example showing a wearable speech interface devicewhich additionally provides some alerts to others:

Audible alert Visual alert Wearer X X Others Wearer X Others X

The fourth example 310 comprises another context sensor 312 which isarranged to detect whether the wearable speech interface device isattached to the user's clothing or not (i.e. whether it is being worn ornot). In the example shown, the sensor 312 detects proximity of theopposing piece 313 of the spring clip which provides the attachmentmechanism (the wearable speech interface device comprise two partsconnected by a pivot 314 and is shown from the side in FIG. 3). Usingproximity detection, the sensor 312 is arranged to detect whether thereis something between the two parts (e.g. clothing 316 or anotherobject). Such a sensor 312 (or sensor arrangement) may be used toprovide a further power control technique by switching on the continuousaudio processing when the wearable speech interface device is attachedto something and switching it off when the wearable speech interfacedevice is not attached to anything. It will be appreciated that othersensors may be used to detect whether the wearable speech interfacedevice is being worn (i.e. sensors which are not closely coupled to theactual attachment mechanism) and one example is a temperature sensorarranged to detect a wearer's body heat.

A sensor which is arranged to detect attachment may also be used toprovide a security mechanism as shown in FIG. 4. When the wearablespeech interface device detects detachment, e.g. from a lapel or otherpiece of the user's clothes (in block 402), this may indicate that ithas fallen off or been stolen. In response to this detection (in block402), the authentication between the wearable speech interface deviceand the host device is cancelled (block 404) which results in thecommunication link (link 101 in FIG. 1) being lost. Subsequently if thewearable speech interface device is re-attached to the user's clothingor another person's clothing (as detected in block 406),re-authentication is required (in block 408). In addition (or instead),the audio processing system may be switched on (in block 410) and off(in block 412) as described above.

The fifth example 318 in FIG. 3 is arranged to be worn around the neck(e.g. underneath or on top of the collar) and comprises a neck band 319which goes around the back of the user's neck. At each end of the band319 is a wider portion which on one end comprises two loudspeakers 320and on the other end comprises a microphone 322.

The sixth example 324 in FIG. 3 comprises a circular portion 326 and aflexible narrow band 328 which can be wrapped around the circularportion 326 when not in use to provide a compact device. A clip may beprovided on the distal end 330 of the band 328 to affix the wearablespeech interface device to a user's clothing (e.g. to their collar). Theloudspeakers 332 are located on the band and in some examples may bearranged to also be usable as ear buds. The microphone 334 may belocated in the circular portion 326 along with one or more controls 336and a camera 338.

In further examples, a wearable speech interface device may comprise aconnection element arranged to physically connect the wearable speechinterface device to the host device for transport, charging and/orupdating (e.g. to re-flash the firmware or speech models). In someexamples, a two-fold charging arrangement may be provided which providesa slow charge for a lithium ion battery and a quick burst of charge fora supercapacitor (e.g. to enable the user to make one call or perform asmall number of microtasks).

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another wearable speech interfacedevice 500 which comprises the features 104-112 shown in FIG. 1 and anadditional element: an audio buffer 502. This audio buffer 502 isarranged to provide a rolling buffer to accommodate any latency inactivating keyword detection (in block 204 of FIG. 2). The audio buffer502 continuously stores the audio such that at any time the buffercontains the previous X seconds of audio as captured by the loudspeaker104, where X is implementation dependent (e.g. X=2). In operation, asshown in the example timeline 600 in FIG. 6, the audio processing systeminitially operates at the lowest level of processing (audio leveldetection phase 601). Following a trigger (arrow 61), the audioprocessing system switches to the next level (keyword detection phase602); however there may be a short delay, Δt, whilst the keyworddetection module (which may be in the wearable speech interface deviceor the host device) is activated. During this delay, the detected audiois stored in the audio buffer 502 and once active, the keyword detectionmodule does not process the audio as it is received from the loudspeakerbut instead accesses the audio from the audio buffer 502 and operates oncontinuous audio which is delayed by the time Δt (i.e. at any time T,the keyword detection module is processing audio which was stored in theaudio buffer 502 at time T−Δt). As long as the size of the audio buffer(e.g. the value of X) is large enough to accommodate a rolling recording(i.e. a recording loop) of length that equals or exceeds Δt the audioprocessing system will not miss a keyword that occurs in the audio inthe period between the trigger (arrow 61) and the activation of keyworddetection (dotted line 62).

In some examples, the audio buffer 502 may also be used to accommodateany latency in activating the natural language speech detection (inblock 206 of FIG. 2). In such an example, the audio buffer may be sizedto accommodate the larger of the two latencies (i.e. the larger of thelatency in moving from block 202 to block 204 and the latency in movingfrom block 204 to block 206 in FIG. 2).

In addition, or instead, the audio buffer 502 may be used to accommodateany latency in performing the keyword detection. For example, althoughthe audio is processed in real-time, an indication that a keyword hasbeen detected may be issued a short time, Δt (e.g. 2 seconds), after thekeyword was spoken. By using the audio buffer 502 as a rolling buffer,all the audio detected after the keyword is still available forprocessing by a higher level in the audio processing hierarchy despitethe latency in the trigger to move to a higher level within the audioprocessing hierarchy (e.g. the trigger to start natural language speechdetection). In such an example, the higher layer in the hierarchy, atany time T is processing audio which was stored in the audio buffer 502at time T−Δt.

As described previously, many aspects of the wearable speech interfacedevice may be optimized for performance of microtasks. In some examples,however, the wearable speech interface device has two modes ofoperation, a first mode for intermittent use (i.e. for the microtasks)and a second mode for making phone calls, listening to music or otherextended tasks. In the second mode of operation, a more discrete audiochannel may be used, e.g. by using integrated ear buds within thewearable speech interface device rather than the loudspeaker 104 orusing an arrangement to conduct audio to the inner ear via the bones ofthe user's skull, or by rearranging/relocating the wearable speechinterface device such that the loudspeaker can be placed in or close tothe user's ear canal. Two example wearable speech interface devices areshown in FIG. 7, with the first 701 comprising ear buds 702 connected bywires that retract into the wearable speech interface device (with thedotted lines showing them in an extended position) and the second 704comprising a protruding loudspeaker 706 which may be inserted into theear canal for the second mode of operation. In each of these examples,the wearable speech interface device comprises a housing for theloudspeaker 104 which enables it to be placed into the user's ear canalwhen operating in the second mode of operation (i.e. for extendedtasks). When in the second mode of operation, the notifications andaudio processing hierarchy may be deactivated or this deactivation maybe context dependent (e.g. deactivated when a user is on a phone call,but activated when the user is listening to music or once the callends).

FIG. 8 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing-baseddevice 800 which may be implemented as any form of a computing and/orelectronic device, and which may operate as a host device for a wearablespeech interface device.

Computing-based device 800 comprises one or more processors 802 whichmay be microprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type ofprocessors for processing computer executable instructions to controlthe operation of the device in order to perform device initiatedactions, respond to user initiated actions and perform audio processing.In some examples, for example where a system on a chip architecture isused, the processors 802 may include one or more fixed function blocks(also referred to as accelerators) which implement, for example, a partof the method of audio processing in hardware (rather than software orfirmware). Platform software comprising an operating system 804 or anyother suitable platform software may be provided at the computing-baseddevice to enable application software 806-812 to be executed on thedevice. The application software may comprise audio processing software(e.g. a keyword detection engine 808 and/or a natural language speechdetection engine 810) and context sensing software 812.

Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can beperformed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components.For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardwarelogic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specificStandard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs).

The computer executable instructions may be provided using anycomputer-readable media that is accessible by computing based device800. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storagemedia such as memory 814 and communications media. Computer storagemedia, such as memory 814, includes volatile and non-volatile, removableand non-removable media implemented in any method or technology forstorage of information such as computer readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other data. Computer storage mediaincludes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memoryor other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) orother optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmissionmedium that can be used to store information for access by a computingdevice. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in amodulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transportmechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not includecommunication media. Therefore, a computer storage medium should not beinterpreted to be a propagating signal per se. Propagated signals may bepresent in a computer storage media, but propagated signals per se arenot examples of computer storage media. Although the computer storagemedia (memory 814) is shown within the computing-based device 800 itwill be appreciated that the storage may be distributed or locatedremotely and accessed via a network or other communication link (e.g.using communication interface 816).

The communication interface 816 is arranged to provide a wirelesscommunication link (e.g. link 101 in FIG. 1) between the computing-baseddevice 800 and a wearable speech interface device. The computing-baseddevice 800 also comprises an input/output controller 818 arranged tooutput display information to a display device 820 which may be separatefrom or integral to the computing-based device 800. The displayinformation may provide a graphical user interface. The input/outputcontroller 818 may also be arranged to receive and process input fromone or more devices, such as a user input device 822 (e.g. a mouse,keyboard, camera, microphone or other sensor). In some examples the userinput device 822 may detect voice input, user gestures or other useractions and may provide a natural user interface (NUI). This user inputmay be used to interact with applications running on the computing-baseddevice 800 and in some examples may be used to authenticate the wearablespeech interface device device. In an embodiment the display device 820may also act as the user input device 822 if it is a touch sensitivedisplay device. The input/output controller 818 may also output data todevices other than the display device, e.g. a locally connected printingdevice (not shown in FIG. 8).

Any of the input/output controller 818, display device 820 and the userinput device 822 may comprise NUI technology which enables a user tointeract with the computing-based device in a natural manner, free fromartificial constraints imposed by input devices such as mice, keyboards,remote controls and the like. Examples of NUI technology that may beprovided include but are not limited to those relying on voice and/orspeech recognition, touch and/or stylus recognition (touch sensitivedisplays), gesture recognition both on screen and adjacent to thescreen, air gestures, head and eye tracking, voice and speech, vision,touch, gestures, and machine intelligence. Other examples of NUItechnology that may be used include intention and goal understandingsystems, motion gesture detection systems using depth cameras (such asstereoscopic camera systems, infrared camera systems, RGB camera systemsand combinations of these), motion gesture detection usingaccelerometers/gyroscopes, facial recognition, 3D displays, head, eyeand gaze tracking, immersive augmented reality and virtual realitysystems and technologies for sensing brain activity using electric fieldsensing electrodes (EEG and related methods).

In some examples, the wearable speech interface device may act as anadditional user input device for the computing-based device 800. Asdescribed above, the wearable speech interface device provides aspeech-based interface between the user and the host device and so maybe used as a microphone and speaker for applications (e.g. games)running on the computing-based device 800 in addition to being used formicrotasks as described above. In some examples, a wearable speechinterface device may have a communication link (e.g. link 101 in FIG. 1)to multiple computing-based devices, each acting as a host device, oralternatively the wearable speech interface device may select a singlehost device at any one time. This selection may be performedautomatically by the wearable speech interface device or may involveuser input (e.g. via a control 302 and where the display 308 may provideinformation on which nearby device is currently configured as the hostdevice).

Although in the examples described above, the wearable speech interfacedevice is a separate physical device from the host device, in furtherexamples, the wearable speech interface device functionality may beintegrated within the same physical housing as the host device (e.g. asa functionally separate device or as fully integrated functionality).FIG. 9 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing-baseddevice 900 which may be implemented as any form of a computing and/orelectronic device, and which integrates the wearable speech interfacedevice functionality. As shown in FIG. 9, the device 900 comprises thefeatures described above with reference to FIG. 8 and in additioncomprises a loudspeaker 104 and microphone 106. The application softwarefurther comprises an audio sensing engine 902 and a speech detectionengine 904 which implement the functionality of the audio sensingchannel 108 and speech detection module 110 (as described above withreference to FIG. 1). The memory 814 additionally provides an audiobuffer 502 (as described above with reference to FIG. 5).

In examples where the host device is a smartphone or otherwise providestelephony, the devices 800, 900 this functionality may be provided bythe operating system 804 or by additional application software. FIG. 10shows a schematic diagram of another example wearable speech interfacedevice 1000 which comprises the audio sensing channel 108 and speechdetection module 110 (as in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 5) andadditionally comprises a telephony module 1004. In this example, thewearable speech interface device 1002 may use the communicationinterface 112 to communicate directly with a cellular base station toprovide the telephony service to the user or alternatively the telephonymodule 1004 may use VoIP and connect to a network via the host device(e.g. host device 800 as shown in FIG. 8 and via the communicationinterfaces 112, 816). In further examples, the functionality may besplit between the host device and the wearable speech interface devicein a different way.

The term ‘computer’ or ‘computing-based device’ is used herein to referto any device with processing capability such that it can executeinstructions. Those skilled in the art will realize that such processingcapabilities are incorporated into many different devices and thereforethe terms ‘computer’ and ‘computing-based device’ each include PCs,servers, mobile telephones (including smart phones), tablet computers,set-top boxes, media players, games consoles, personal digitalassistants and many other devices.

The methods described herein may be performed by software in machinereadable form on a tangible storage medium e.g. in the form of acomputer program comprising computer program code means adapted toperform all the steps of any of the methods described herein when theprogram is run on a computer and where the computer program may beembodied on a computer readable medium. Examples of tangible storagemedia include computer storage devices comprising computer-readablemedia such as disks, thumb drives, memory etc and do not includepropagated signals. Propagated signals may be present in a tangiblestorage media, but propagated signals per se are not examples oftangible storage media. The software can be suitable for execution on aparallel processor or a serial processor such that the method steps maybe carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously.

This acknowledges that software can be a valuable, separately tradablecommodity. It is intended to encompass software, which runs on orcontrols “dumb” or standard hardware, to carry out the desiredfunctions. It is also intended to encompass software which “describes”or defines the configuration of hardware, such as HDL (hardwaredescription language) software, as is used for designing silicon chips,or for configuring universal programmable chips, to carry out desiredfunctions.

Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized tostore program instructions can be distributed across a network. Forexample, a remote computer may store an example of the process describedas software. A local or terminal computer may access the remote computerand download a part or all of the software to run the program.Alternatively, the local computer may download pieces of the software asneeded, or execute some software instructions at the local terminal andsome at the remote computer (or computer network). Those skilled in theart will also realize that by utilizing conventional techniques known tothose skilled in the art that all, or a portion of the softwareinstructions may be carried out by a dedicated circuit, such as a DSP,programmable logic array, or the like.

Any range or device value given herein may be extended or alteredwithout losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilledperson.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described abovemay relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Theembodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the statedproblems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits andadvantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ itemrefers to one or more of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally,individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the subject matter describedherein. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combinedwith aspects of any of the other examples described to form furtherexamples without losing the effect sought.

The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the method blocksor elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprisean exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additionalblocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above description is given by way ofexample only and that various modifications may be made by those skilledin the art. The above specification, examples and data provide acomplete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments.Although various embodiments have been described above with a certaindegree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individualembodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations tothe disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope ofthis specification.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A wearable, hands-free, head-free audioaccessory for a host computing device, the audio accessory comprising: adirectional loudspeaker and a directional microphone which together arearranged to provide a speech based interface between a user and the hostcomputing device for both user-initiated microtasks and host computingdevice initiated microtasks and wherein the directional loudspeaker isoperative to provide notifications for the host computing deviceinitiated microtasks; an always-on audio sensing channel and a speechdetection module arranged to work together to continuously monitor anaudio signal detected by the directional microphone and to trigger afirst higher level of audio processing based on a detected level of theaudio signal and to trigger a second higher level of audio processingbased on detection of a predefined keyword; the always-on audio sensingchannel and the speech detection module being further arranged to worktogether to control notifications to the user based at least in part ona determination that the user is having a conversation; a wirelessinterface arranged to provide a communication link between the audioaccessory and the host computing device; an attachment mechanismarranged to attach the accessory to an item of clothing worn by theuser; and a sensor arrangement arranged to detect whether the accessoryis attached to an object.
 2. A wearable, hands-free, head-free audioaccessory according to claim 1, further comprising: a power controlmechanism arranged to control operation of the always-on audio sensingchannel based on the output of the sensor arrangement.
 3. A wearable,hands-free audio accessory according to claim 1, wherein the sensorarrangement is further arranged to trigger a requirement forre-authentication between the audio accessory and the host computingdevice following detection of detachment of the audio accessory from theobject.
 4. A wearable, hands-free audio accessory according to claim 1,further comprising an audio buffer arranged to provide a recording loopfor the audio signal detected via the microphone to accommodate anylatency associated with keyword detection.
 5. A wearable, hands-freeaudio accessory according to claim 1, wherein the speech based interfacecomprises an audio processing hierarchy comprising at least threelevels.
 6. A wearable, hands-free audio accessory according to claim 1,wherein the wearable, hands-free audio accessory is arranged to output adelayed audio signal to a speech detection module located in the hostdevice via the wireless interface.
 7. A wearable, hands-free audioaccessory according to claim 1, wherein the audio accessory comprisestwo modes of operation, a first mode for performing microtasks and asecond mode for extended tasks.
 8. A wearable, hands-free audioaccessory according to claim 1, wherein the speech based interface isarranged to provide audible notifications to the user and wherein anotification is triggered by software running on the host computingdevice.
 9. A wearable, hands-free audio accessory according to claim 8,further comprising a physical control and wherein a user input receivedvia the physical control is arranged to trigger provision of additionalinformation relating to a notification to the user via the speech basedinterface or to initiate a speech-based interaction.
 10. A wearable,hands-free audio accessory according to claim 1, wherein the speechdetection module is at least partially implemented using hardware logicselected from any one or more of: a field-programmable gate array, aprogram-specific integrated circuit, a program-specific standardproduct, a system-on-a-chip, and a complex programmable logic device.11. A method of controlling operation of wearable, hands-free, head-freeaudio accessory for a host computing device, the method comprising:arranging a directional loudspeaker and a directional microphone toprovide a speech based interface between a user and the host computingdevice for both user-initiated microtasks and host computing deviceinitiated microtasks and wherein the directional loudspeaker isoperative for providing notifications for the host computing deviceinitiated microtasks; arranging an always-on audio sensing channel and aspeech detection module to continuously monitor an audio signal detectedby the directional microphone and to trigger a first higher level ofaudio processing based on a detected level of the audio signal and totrigger a second higher level of audio processing based on detection ofa predefined keyword; arranging the always-on audio sensing channel andthe speech detection module to control notifications to the user basedat least in part on a determination that the user is having aconversation; providing, via a wireless interface, a communication linkbetween the audio accessory and the host computing device; anddetecting, via a sensor arrangement, whether the accessory is attachedto an object, the accessory being arranged to attach to an item ofclothing worn by the user.
 12. A method according to claim 11, furthercomprising: canceling authentication between the host computing deviceand the audio accessory in response to detecting detachment of the audioaccessory from an object.
 13. A method according to claim 11, furthercomprising: providing a signal from a microphone or other sensor in theaudio accessory to context sensing software in the host computing devicevia the wireless interface in the audio accessory.
 14. A methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising: storing, in an audio bufferproviding a recording loop, an audio signal detected via the microphonein the audio accessory; and outputting a delayed audio signal to audioprocessing elements in the audio accessory or the host computing device.15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising: determiningwhether to provide an alert based on a pre-determined length of timewithout any speech detected by the speech detection module; determiningwhether to delay the alert based on whether the alert is appropriate;determining a type of the alert to provide based on whether the alert isdelayed; and displaying status information on a wireless interface, thewireless interface including a display and light emitting diodes (LEDs).16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising controllingoperation of the always-on audio sensing channel based on output of thesensor arrangement.
 17. A method according to claim 11, furthercomprising triggering a requirement for re-authentication between theaudio accessory and the host computing device following detection ofdetachment of the audio accessory from the object.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 11, further comprising providing a recording loop forthe audio signal detected via the microphone to accommodate any latencyassociated with keyword detection.
 19. A method according to claim 11,wherein the speech based interface comprises an audio processinghierarchy comprising at least three levels.
 20. A method according toclaim 11, further comprising initiating a speech-based interaction inresponse to a user input received via a physical control.